Describing their 2010 squad as New Brunswick's Team, the Mount Allison football Mountie coaching staff devoted a good deal of time during this off-season to seeking out and recruiting young student-athletes from throughout the province. The Newcomers are expected to make a contribution to what coach Kelly Jeffrey sees as an improving program that will soon once again become competitive in the tough Atlantic Universities Football Conference (AUFC).
No fewer than 10 outstanding players from around the New Brunswick High School Football League (NBHSFL) are expected to shed their school colours in favour of the Garnet and Gold. Several have been all-stars in the school league, while a couple of MVPs show potential to make the transition to college ball.
"We are excited to have a such strong group from the Maritimes as well as from across Canada," says third-year head coach Kelly Jeffrey. "After graduating just two players from last year's team we are in a position where we can recruit for depth at a lot of positions and let the players learn and develop for a season."
No fewer than 10 rookies from this province will be joining the pre-season camp in late August and will be given plenty of opportunity to crack the lineup, even though the squad should be dominated by returning veterans. Of the 28 recruits recently announced by Jeffrey, 15 are from the Maritimes, with P.E.I., Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and California being represented along with host New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Perhaps the two key acquisitions will be running back Alonzo Howell from San Diego and kicker-punter John Szilaygi from Winnipeg. Howell will provide the Mounties with a powerback to compliment Academic All-Canadian Matt Pickett, who will be entering his fourth campaign. Jeffrey says Howell was recommended by some friends in the San Diego area and according to Gary Ross, the Mounties' superstar, Howell will bring something the Mounties have lacked in recent years – power and speed in the backfield. He is a little older than many rookies, having been at community college for a couple of seasons.
"The loss of punter-kicker Olivier Eddie to graduation means the Mounties will have a new kicker for the 2010 season. The addition of John Szilaygi will be crucial for us. I like his consistency and accuracy and I think he is the type of guy who we get the ball to the 30-yard line we know we are coming away with points."
Szilaygi has been playing junior ball for the Winnipeg Rifles and brings experience and a strong leg to give the team additional strength – offensively with the ability to hit consistently from 40 and defensively with a quality punting average.
He notes the team has added several quality defensive linemen to their roster, bringing new competition to the end position, a spot ably defended last season by Ryan Downe, a 260-pounder from Fredericton.
Across the offensive line the Mounties will feature a trio of 300-pounders in Mike Filer, Aaron Harper and Fredericton's Chris Munn, with at least two others hoping to move up from secondary positions. However, Evan Melanson and Sean Clements from Moncton, Julien Vautour from Fredericton and Alex Riach and Brett Gill from Upper Tantillon, N.S., will offer plenty of depth.
Jeffrey has recruited half a dozen defensive linemen, including Quinn Everett from Halifax, Jonathan Abril of Abbotsford, B.C., Tyler Patterson of Dartmouth, Nathan Conway of Souris, P.E.I., Scott Bell of St. Stephen and Mark Fullereton from Newmarket. As this was a "suspect" spot in 2009, a couple of newcomers could help improve performances.
The Mounties have been fortunate in recent years with an abundance of solid players in the secondary. Names like Bradley Daye, Jermaine Oram, Luke Ekoh, Jeremy Snider, and Tylor Nadodny are all expected to return but will be pushed by newcomers such as Blake Stewart of Salisbury, Tyrell Giffin of Goshen, N.S., Brandon Dube of Guelph and Brandon King of Uxbridge, younger brother of Jarrett, a fine receiver and punt blocker.
It will be tough for newcomers to crack the starting rotation at receiver since King, Jared Collette, Adam Molnar, Ben Stehr and Ross will be there. However, Troy Trenholm of Brooks, Alta., could have a shot, along with Josh Blanchard of Oromocto, Jarret Sutton of Truro and Owen Thompson of Bedford.
In addition to Howell and Pickett at the running back position, another trio will be added to the mix. Eric Rioux of Moncton, Braedon de Palezieux of Nepean and Ben Hayward of Rothesay should provide plenty of depth in case of injuries.
Jeffrey says he is happy with the quarterback situation and only one new one – Xavier Couture of Dieppe – will be in camp and will provide insurance behind regular Jake Hotchkiss and Ewan Coles.
The Mounties will open their season with a home game – a shift from recent seasons – when they host the St. Francis Xavier X-Men in the annual Homecoming game. They are at Sherbrooke the following week in the only crossover game for them this season.
Mounties’ 2010 schedule
– Sept. 11 – St. FX at Mt. A
– Sept. 18 – Mt. A at Sherbrooke
– Sept. 24 – SMU at Mt A (in Moncton)
– Oct. 1 – Mt. A at St. FX
– Oct. 9 – Acadia at Mt. A
– Oct. 16 – Mt. A at Acadia
– Oct. 23 – Mt. A at SMU
– Oct. 30 – St. FX at Mt. A
